Who is Georgios Papanikolaou? Google Doodle celebrates inventor of the smear test

Georgios Papanikolaou is the subject of today’s Google Doodle. The Greek doctor created the first instance of the smear test or “pap smear” and was a pioneer of cytopathology. Although the doctor is known for his contributions now, he was initially dismissed. Today, Google honours his 136th birthday. 

Who is Georgios Papanikolaou?

Georgios Papanikolaou was born in 1883, in Kymi, Greece. 

He obtained his medical degree in 1904 and emigrated to the US to work for the Department of Pathology at New York Hospital.

The doctor first theorised uterine cancer could be diagnosed by means of a vaginal smear in 1928, but this was not taken seriously until years later. 

Georgios Papanikolaou’s claims were taken seriously when he published his book on the subject in 1943. 

The book ‘Diagnosis of Uterine Cancer by the Vaginal Smear’ was published with the help of Doctor Herbert Frederick Traut whilst at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.

The test later developed by the doctor became known as the ‘Papanicolaou test’ now commonly abbreviated to the pap test or pap smear. 

Now, the pap test is vital for detecting and preventing cervical cancer and other diseases of the female reproductive system.

The doctor famously said: “The first observation of cancer cells in the smear of the uterine cervix gave me one of the greatest thrills I ever experienced during my scientific career.”

Modern smear tests are used to detect abnormal cell changes in the cervix, in order to allow treatment for early signs of cancer. 

The test is also vital for detecting the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is linked to the development of cancer. 

Most women will undergo screening throughout their lives to ensure cancer is detected early on. 

The current procedure for women going in to get a smear test is safe and painless. 

A doctor will apply a small brush to the inside of the cervix and apply a small brush to it.

They will then gently turning the brush around a few times to sweep up some cells. 

These are then transferred to a pot of liquid and sent away to a lab for analysis, to look for any abnormal growths under a microscope. 

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